Agartala, Nov 15 (ANI): Border Security Force (BSF) personnel today arrested six Bangladeshi nationals near the Indo-Bangladesh border, and recovered a consignment of ten endangered snakes and tortoise.
The Bangladeshis, who were arrested between Akhuara immigration centre and Lankamura border outpost in Agartala, were carrying ten endangered snakes (King Cobra) and tortoise (Geochelone Elongata).
BSF believes that the smuggled animals were coming from Chittagong in Bangladesh and were destined for Assam.
Acting on a tip-off, BSF personnel apprehended a group of six people sneaking into the Indian territory.
The animals were later handed over to the Forest Department.
According to a forest official, the consignment of animals could fetch several thousand rupees.
Ranjit Ghosh, a Forest Official, said “BSF apprehended six persons along with ten snakes while they were entering from Bangladesh.”
In spite of heavy fencing, infiltration and smuggling of animals, textiles and electronic goods is rampant.
Snakes and tortoises, which are indigenous to India, are protected by international conventions against hunting endangered species.
Out of the 4096 km Indo-Bangladesh border, Tripura has a share of 857 km. (ANI)

LOS ANGELES – A Cypress man was sentenced Tuesday to a year and a day in federal prison for trafficking of endangered fish – Asian Arowanas – after previously pleading guilty to related conspiracy charges.

Bruce Penny, 37, acknowledged selling several of the rare fish – along with two other men in a two-year long operation – in a hearing earlier this year, according to a statement from United States Attorney officials.

The other two men – Anthony Robles of Downey and Peter Wu of Roland Heights – were each sentenced to three years of probation for their involvement in the trafficking of the fish.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service investigated the three men for violations of the Endangered Species Act, leading to their pleas and sentences, according to reports.

The Asian Arowana, commonly known as the “dragonfish” or “luckfish,” is an endangered freshwater fish native to the river deltas of Southeast Asia, officials said. The species is sought after for aquarium display by collectors, often fetching thousands of dollars per fish in black market sales.

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